Fees tend to be as high as they could be for clients, but there is some undecutting by smaller or new practitioners. And then, I see that many clients don't pay, feeling the architect's work was not so worthwhile--after the buildings are done. Add to this more pressures:insurance rates rising, and do you really get back all the money you pay for computer equipment as opposed to drafting boards?

The intern system seems to be where the culture starts for underpaying. Whereas other occupations start paying reasonably well when you come in with a degree. The feeling is often that interns are cheap labor. In general, going into construction as a carpenter will give you a better pay rate early on. Maybe architects don't think an architectural education or even experience worth much. It's after being poor for many years and becoming a principal one must cut a big piece for oneself to make up for it. Is this unusual or too cynical?